What causes high blood pressure?
Disease description:
I recently found out during a health checkup that I have high blood pressure. I usually enjoy eating salty foods and often stay up late. My job is also quite stressful, and I get little exercise. What are the common causes of high blood pressure?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Tian Hongbo
High blood pressure may be related to genetic factors, lifestyle habits, age, environmental factors, and other diseases.
Hypertension has a certain genetic predisposition. If both parents have hypertension, their children tend to have a higher incidence of hypertension compared to children of parents without hypertension. Lifestyle factors such as high-salt diet, excessive alcohol consumption, lack of physical activity, obesity, and chronic mental stress can all increase the risk of developing hypertension.
With advancing age, blood vessels gradually harden and lose elasticity, leading to increased vascular resistance and elevated blood pressure. After the age of 40, the incidence of hypertension progressively increases. Environmental factors such as high work pressure, noise pollution, and air pollution may also contribute to elevated blood pressure.
In addition, certain diseases such as kidney disease, endocrine disorders, and sleep apnea syndrome can cause secondary hypertension. Conditions like diabetes and thyroid disease can also lead to increased blood pressure if not properly controlled.
The prevention and treatment of hypertension require a comprehensive approach that considers the above-mentioned factors through appropriate dietary, exercise, and pharmacological interventions.
